Court date scheduled for Vinson's state charges

Published: Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, October 25, 2013 at 7:07 p.m.

The case is far from over against Seven Falls developer Keith Vinson, who was found guilty in U.S. District Court last week of 13 fraud and conspiracy charges related to the failed golf course community.

Vinson is scheduled to appear in Henderson County Superior Court on Jan. 13 to face 72 counts of defrauding in an attempt to obtain money and three counts of terminating group health insurance without notice.

District Attorney Greg Newman said his office still intends to move forward with the 75 charges the state has lodged against Vinson regarding Seven Falls.

Vinson was taken into federal custody last week after a federal judge determined that Vinson could be a flight risk.

In the state case, Vinson, 55, of Arden is accused of withholding money from his employees’ paychecks for health insurance premiums that went unpaid. The health plans, which covered employees of Vinson’s company Tradition LLC, were canceled.

Vinson marketed Seven Falls in Etowah and Queens Gap in Rutherford County under the name Tradition LLC.

A warrant for Vinson’s arrest issued Feb. 28, 2011, accuses him of withholding $12,131.22 from employees of Tradition LLC for medical coverage that was not provided. He faces a maximum of two-and-a-half years in prison if convicted.

He faces 24 to 26 years, based on sentencing guidelines, for his federal conviction. The date of his sentencing hearing has not been set.

<p>The case is far from over against Seven Falls developer Keith Vinson, who was found guilty in U.S. District Court last week of 13 fraud and conspiracy charges related to the failed golf course community.</p><p>Vinson is scheduled to appear in Henderson County Superior Court on Jan. 13 to face 72 counts of defrauding in an attempt to obtain money and three counts of terminating group health insurance without notice.</p><p>District Attorney Greg Newman said his office still intends to move forward with the 75 charges the state has lodged against Vinson regarding Seven Falls. </p><p>Vinson was taken into federal custody last week after a federal judge determined that Vinson could be a flight risk.</p><p>In the state case, Vinson, 55, of Arden is accused of withholding money from his employees' paychecks for health insurance premiums that went unpaid. The health plans, which covered employees of Vinson's company Tradition LLC, were canceled.</p><p>Vinson marketed Seven Falls in Etowah and Queens Gap in Rutherford County under the name Tradition LLC.</p><p>A warrant for Vinson's arrest issued Feb. 28, 2011, accuses him of withholding $12,131.22 from employees of Tradition LLC for medical coverage that was not provided. He faces a maximum of two-and-a-half years in prison if convicted.</p><p>He faces 24 to 26 years, based on sentencing guidelines, for his federal conviction. The date of his sentencing hearing has not been set.</p><p>Reach Weaver at emily.weaver@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7867.</p>